Dear Mr. B
406 CVC (California Vehicle Code) provides the general definition of a
motorized bicycle. 24015 CVC says that a motorized bicycle must comply
with federal safety standards. 24016 CVC details more requirement for
safety standards, equipment, driver requirements and seller
requirements. It also points you to requirements in the Federal Code of
Regulations which you can find on the internet. As long as the
motorized bicycle complies with all of these requirements, then it can
be ridden by anyone over 16 years old without a driver license. The
rider would have to follow all of the rules that a bicyclist would. If
it does not comply with all of the requirements, including the federal
code of regulations, then it is classified as a motor driven cycle which
would require that the rider have a driver license with an M2 motorcycle
endorsement.

I contacted DMV and asked if I could ride a motorized
bicycle without a drivers license. The first person
said yes and the second DMV employee said no.
I am a little confused..
The horsepower is 1.6hp very small gas engine